Without any background information, the average person who pops in a Reggie album or goes to his show may not get the joke.

Reggie and the Full Effect, which released its first album, “Greatest Hits: 1984-1987,” in 1999, is actually none other than James Dewees, the keyboardist for The Get Up Kids. But that’s not what he’ll have you believe.

In keeping with the absurd world of Reggie and the Full Effect, Dewees has forged a detailed biography to back up this obvious farce.

As legend has it, Reggie was a blues musician who disappeared without a trace. Fortunately, his lost recordings were recently discovered and produced in an effort to find Reggie and bring him out of retirement. With the help of Get Up Kids members and Vagrant Records, Reggie’s good name and work have not been lost in the sands of time.

This is no Weird Al Yankovic copycat — sampling pop songs and rewriting funny lyrics to fit them.

Any Joe Blow can think up a few simple, tongue-in-cheek songs ripping on the cheesiness of pop, death metal and punk. But Reggie and his crazy cast of characters actually do this and create quality, listenable music in the process.

Reggie runs with the best of the musical parodists, provoking laughter in a manner similar to politically incorrect metal gods S.O.D. and “explosivo” rock duo Tenacious D.

Those familiar with Reggie’s clever albums will anticipate guest appearances to be made by those celebrities, as well as British pop stars Fluxuation.

Hit singles such as “MOOD 4 LUV,” “Boot to the Moon,” “F.O.O.D. A.K.A. Aren’t you Hungary” and “Linkin’ Verbz” are sure to resonate with fans as well as teenage lovebirds, line dancers, overeaters and small children, respectively.

Although the joke can only live on for so long, Dewees’ fictitious project has somehow managed to put forth serious efforts musically, while making use of every creative gimmick imaginable to make Reggie unique.

Reggie and the Full Effect shows have been said to resemble improv comedy as much as they do music performances.

With Reggie’s ties to so many high-caliber artists, combined with his insatiable love for tacos, watching a Full Effect show will leave audiences giggling and confused, all at the same time.

Who: Reggie and the Full Effect, The Story Changes

Where: Maintenance Shop

When: 7:30 p.m. Monday

Cost: $13 students, $15 public